Oscarson Elementary in Piute School District and Eisenhower Junior High School in Granite School District submitted winning photographs to the #BeMined Challenge showing how minerals power their classrooms, and won $500 each for science education at their schools.

The Oscarson Elementary winning photograph, submitted by teacher Sally James and her fourth grade class, showed student creations crafted from their 3D printer and explained how the printer includes components made from a variety of minerals such as beryllium, boron, and barium.

Eisenhower Junior High School submitted a winning photograph of their school’s Maker Space area where students work on coding and other skills with electronics that are in part powered by copper, beryllium, chromite, and iron-nickel. 

The #BeMinedUtah19 photo challenge was co-sponsored by School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) and the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (OGM) to increase awareness about the importance of minerals in everyday life, specifically in Utah classrooms.

The two winning photographs were selected from all statewide entries. The challenge was open to all K-12 public school students, teachers, principals, and administrators statewide. Judges from both agencies selected their favorite photographs based on theme relevancy and creativity.